Henneth Annûn Story Archive

January 3 - Imhiriel: My birthday is on January 3rd. Tuor and Idril are two of my favourites, therefore I'd like to see a scene involving this, IMO, sadly under-written couple. For this birthday drabble I'd prefer a happy moment between the two, but a dark/sad/angsty scene will be welcomed as well.

January 7 - Jay of Lasgalen: I like the twins, Legolas, Thranduil, or any combination thereof. I prefer friendship to slash. I'll be 45 !!! so a mention of that number would be great.

January 9 - Isil Elensar: I'm turning 30 in 2005. WOOHOO! I would love a drabble involving 30 year old elveses, menses (uhhh... yeah), and hobbitses. Pick either, I don't have a preference. Make it happy, or a warm fuzzy.

January 12 - Malinear: I'll be turning 24 on January 12th. I'm pretty easy to please as I'm a big fan of anything F/E-shipping. Elves are good too, especially if it involves the elves of the Grey Havens or the twins. Oooh...or something out of Dol Amroth...eek...can't decide. Surprise me

January 13 - Altariel: My birthday is January 13th. I would love drabbles about the palantíri: any time, any place, any one of them (or all). Otherwise, you won't go wrong with some F/E 'shipper joy.

January 26 - Makamu: I would love to read a fic about uhm let me think...Eowyn and Arwen. Gen would be prefered in this case though femslash is okay as well.

 

Continuing from the other threads.... I'm glad you liked it, Malinear! Also, I forgot to credit Gwynnyd with helping me make sure the sailing stuff was technically correct. Also thanks to Imhiriel, Isil, Jay and everyone else for your kind comments on the drabbles I wrote for them. Cheers, Liz

 

Happy Belated Birthday, Isil! I hope it was fun ;-) Cheers, Starlight *** Thirty I am thirty today. Eomer gazes at the endless plain, Firefoot growing impatient beside him. Thirty. Even the most optimistic of riders is not certain of lasting that long- not during the dark times they’d lived in. Thirty… Theoden was a father at thirty! His father was already married at thirty. His sister- What have I done in thirty years? As a flash his life passed before him: son, brother, a child growing to manhood too soon- turned into a rider, soldier, protector, Marshall, King… Husband? Perhaps. Soon… maybe… Eomer gazes at the endless plain. Today, the world is his.

 

And for once I even made it on time ;-) Hope you have a great birthday, and hope you enjoy my little present (it really is a bit different from what I usually write, so as to make me fear it being OOC, but at least it comes from Dol Amroth!) Enjoy your day, Starlight *** At the beach He laughed at her discomfiture, making her blush -not that he didn’t enjoy that…- ‘What?’ he asked, removing his wet shirt and boots. ‘What? First, there’s no point: you’re soaked already… You could’ve told me you liked the water that much.’ ‘I rather think, Lothiriel,’ a roguish grin, ‘that you shouldn’t have assumed that much about me. Just because Rohan has no sea-shore doesn’t mean- Where are you going?’ It was her turn to grin. ‘Now that you’ve decided you’ll go for a swim, I believe I cannot stay here with you.’ She winked, darted off, with him chasing behind.

 

I didn't expect any Eomer/Lothiriel (a favored couple that is rarely touched on) and this is a pleasant surprise. Happy thoughts of a sopping wet and playful/rougish Eomer to get me through the rest of the work day. Thank you! -Kit

 

Malinear: I'll be turning 24 on January 12th. I'm pretty easy to please as I'm a big fan of anything F/E-shipping. Elves are good too, especially if it involves the elves of the Grey Havens or the twins. Oooh...or something out of Dol Amroth...eek...can't decide. Surprise me So how about the twins at the Grey Havens? This is a double drabble, as I couldn't fit everything into one hundred words. Time To Depart Aragorn, last in a long line of fosterlings, was gone. Arwen, always their little sister, had passed. With the deaths of their sister, and one they had loved like a brother, there was nothing to bind them to Middle Earth any longer; nothing to stay for. Even Imladris was fading and dying. The ravages of time could no longer be denied. Pausing only long enough to pack essentials for the journey, and mementoes they could not bear to leave behind, they consigned fair Imladris to the care of those who remained. They rode for the havens, arriving at dusk, the long firth shining ahead of them, glimmering softly in the moonlight. Cirdan greeted them. “Welcome to Mithlond, my lords. You have been expected. We sail at dawn.” Nodding to the grey-bearded shipwright, they boarded the ship, feeling deep sorrow and loss at the memory of all those who would never now join them. Yet amid the sadness there was hope – expectation of joyous reunion with those long missed who had gone before, anticipation of a new land to explore – and they would always be together. As dawn broke, the ship slipped away down the long grey firth to the sea. *Happy birthday, Malinear!* Jay

 

*gush* I'm experiencing this happy, floaty feeling right now...give me a moment for a real response... *deep breath* Ok...that...was awesome. I have no complaints to it being a double drabble at all ;) And I certainly don't mind the combination of the twins and the Havens. Nope, not at all. It's always interesting to see different takes on the choice(s) of the twins...stay, leave, one each...when and why... You've captured in a few words so much of their resolution and also that it's not the end for them or their kind, just the beginning of a new chapter... Thank you so much for my birthday fic. I plan on sitting down to write a few in turn as soon as I get my next day off (Friday, yay!). -Kit

 

That was absolutely beautiful, Jay. I love the whole of it, and, particularly, your title. Sometimes, I suppose, it's just time- time to let go and move on with your journey. What a universal message! Thanks so much, Starlight

 

*delurks* I have been following these Birthday Card drabbles for quite a while now, and IMHO, they are really a brilliant idea for virtual birthday gifts among Tolkien fans. But not only did I love reading them, they also made me feel like writing something again. I haven't tried my hand at fanfic since my X-files days, so it's more the good will that counts... However, I did come up with something for two birthday presents this month, and here's the first one. Happy Birthday, Makamu (even if it's still a bit early)! I hope you'll enjoy my triple drabble about Arwen and Éowyn at least somewhat. First Meeting Hoofbeats broke the silence hanging above the terrace, and Éowyn’s heart took a leap of joy. But only a lone rider arrived on the courtyard before Meduseld, not the escort she had been expecting, the one to bury her past and take her far away from the fields of Rohan. As though Éowyn had spoken her thoughts aloud, the rider said, “I think my horse may have outrun them all,” smiling proudly at this feat. The stranger’s mirth was overflowing like the spring at the foot of the Golden Hall, and peals of laughter echoed the babbling water of the brook. When Éowyn curtseyed clumsily before the Queen, it seemed − much to her embarassment – that a daughter of kings turned into a rustic girl of twenty-four summers, suppressing the urge to brush the dirt off her skirts under the scrutiny of that gaze. “Lady Éowyn Wraithbane,” the Queen said, with her accent smoothing and polishing the Rohirric, “I am honoured to meet you.” Tongue-tied, the wraithbane could do nothing but stare at her in return and marvel at the honesty in her eyes. “It is I who am honoured by your arrival,” Éowyn replied at last, biting back the bitterness of dwelling in a thatched barn with brats and brigands. ‘I am trembling like a frightened mare,’ she realized, and she wondered what to do in awe of so much bliss and beauty. The Queen shook her head slightly, as if in response: “Do not worry overmuch, Éowyn. You have chosen the better part.” A moment she hesitated, then added: “And so have I.” But the smile which lit up her face also drew a dusky veil over her features; and even its radiance could not outshine the dark sound of a voice tinged with something akin to envy.

 

Have a Very Happy Birthday tomorrow! As F/É shipper joy seemed to be beyond the limits of my creativity, a palantír drabble loosely based on a footnote in the LOTR appendices will have to make do. Anyway, here's your birthday present: Gaze No More in the Bitter Glass His hands were firmly gripping the stone, but he could only see the prints of sweaty palms on its surface. Dark and void it remained. His people would talk of waves lapping white shores, of lamplit quays in white harbours – such a sight as he alone might still behold. Of his other visions, he told them nothing: A proud city would call out from the green darkness, or fish would play like songbirds in a rotten tree... No more! There would be neither visions nor sights for him tonight. Only dreams of other cities, another tree, and of the stars.

 

Aervir, these are both gorgeous! Thank you so much for delurking, and sharing these lovely gifts with us. And please don't even think of returning to lurkdom. Ann

 

I agree. These are priceless especially the exchange between Arwen and Eowyn. I can see the two of them remembering this meeting as the years pass and their friendship grows. RiverOtter

 

To the White Lady, from the Steward, upon our Wedding-day When, in disgrace in my dead father's eyes, I solitary bewept my bitter state Troubling deaf Valar with unspoken cries, And look'd towards the East and curs'd my fate, Wishing me like to one more rich in hope, Lauded like him, with confidence possess'd, Desiring Boromir's undaunted scope, With living brotherless contented least; Yet thinking thus, myself almost despising, Haply I look'd on thee; and then my state, Like to the lark at break of day arising From sullen earth, sang hymns at Aman's gate. Now joy's anticipation such wealth brings, This Steward scorns to change his state with kings. *** "The Lord Faramir was walking alone in the garden of the Houses of Healing... but his heart was heavy, and he looked out over the walls eastward. And coming, the Warden spoke his name, and he turned and saw the Lady Eowyn of Rohan..." The Return of the King Book 6 Chapter 5, The Steward and the King. [With apologies to Mr. W. Shakespeare for shamelessly plagiarising his Sonnet No. XXIX; the vastly superior original may be easily found by Googling for "Shakespeare sonnet 29". And yes, it really did come out at exactly 100 words. Count 'em.] Very very happy birthday, Una! Azalais

 

I agree. These are priceless especially the exchange between Arwen and Eowyn. It's lovely. I love the alliteration of "brats and brigands/bliss and beauty" pointing up what Eowyn sees as the contrast between them. That grave courtesy breaking out into a smile is exactly Arwen. But so is that very poignant insight that she might envy Eowyn her uncomplicated mortality... The palantir drabble is wonderful, and I am madly jealous because I really wanted to try and do something with a palantir and couldn't get the blasted oversized marbles to cooperate at all... Now I am going to have to go and comb the Appendices for that footnote when I should be in bed! (any chance of a reference?...) Azalais

 

Oh well done Az! Here's my prezzie Altariel - Happy Birthday! The Steward and the King A grim price must be paid, he finds, to redeem this shadowed Stone; fire reawakens and the burning takes its toll. But with it he may still command, eye to eye, across the far-flung leagues, hold secure a reunited realm. Small price to … “Sire, enough.” A steady grip upon his shoulder anchors him as he withdraws his gaze. Horror soon returns; hands - withering, untimely aged - will not relinquish, even as the flames consume. Faramir’s concern is clear and Aragorn offers him a rueful smile. Together they replace the pall. “Aye, my friend, you are right; time to let it go.” * * * * Alawa

 

Now I am going to have to go and comb the Appendices for that footnote when I should be in bed! (any chance of a reference?...) I'm not sure, Azalais, but this seems the most likely candidate: "So perished Arvedui Last-king, and with him the palantíri were buried in the sea. [2]" "2. These were the Stones of Annúminas and Amon Sûl. The only Stone left in the North was the one in the Tower on Emyn Beraid that looks toward the Gulf of Lune. That was guarded by the Elves, and though we never knew it, it remained there, until Círdan put it aboard Elrond's ship when he left.... But we are told it was unlike the others and not in accord with them; it looked only to the Sea. Elendil set it there so that he could look back with 'straight sight' and see Eressëa in the vanished West; but the bent seas below covered Númenor for ever." The Return of the King, LoTR Appendix A, Annals of the Kings and Rulers: Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur

 

Az, this was just lovely.

 

I really liked "The Steward and the King," Alawa. It is amazing how, even the good things, can turn into bad ones depending on our own inner strength (or weakness, for that matter). Thank you! Starlight

 

Hi, Liz, Liz wrote: DAnyway, you may want to check out the growing number of Events entries and increasingly detailed Bios (which also have a lot of dates) here at HASA Resources next time you're stuck for some facts. The other day I had to stay late at work and we ordered chinese food for dinner. This is what my fortune said: "All the answers are right under your nose..." Did I think to check the resources section first? No! Big mistake... Thank you so much for reminding me of all the wonderful resources that are available to us right here. Thanks so much! Cheers, Starlight

 

“Sire, enough.” Ooh, brrrrr, Alawa, well done. I can just hear Faramir. And what a neat symmetry - once Aragorn called Faramir back from the Shadow, now Faramir calles Aragorn back... And I like the Denethor echoes with the consuming flames, making clear what path Aragorn could be venturing too far down - the path Faramir couldn't call his father back from... Bravo! Az

 

Thanks, Starlight, and Alawa too. I think it was the last line of the original, about scorning to change one's state with kings, that made me think, "Steward! Steward!" And writing a sonnet to his bride on their wedding-day seemed such a terribly Faramirish thing to do... Cheers, Az

 

Oh Az this is perfect. Thank you!

 

And writing a sonnet to his bride on their wedding-day seemed such a terribly Faramirish thing to do... Isn't is just? I can use that new heart smiley now!

 

And what a neat symmetry - once Aragorn called Faramir back from the Shadow, now Faramir calles Aragorn back... *slaps forehead* Now that was a symmetry I hadn't picked up on. Alawa's writing always has layer upon layer.

 

Aervir, this is a beautiful, crystal-clear drabble. I hope you're going to write more now you've been tempted out of lurkdom!

 

Wow. Just - wow, Az. What a beautifully apt sonnet to rework.

 

Happy Birthday, Una! Here's a present for you. My F/E muse must be dead (or at least, out on holiday :-( )and I did try really hard with the palantiri. This is not exactly palantiri, but it's as close as I could get. I hope it's all right (but I'll keep thinking about this! Perhaps my muses return from their vacation). Have a great day today! Hugs, Starlight *** Hunger Inside the closeness of the Steward’s libraries, father and son greet the twilight hunched beside a pile of scrolls. The son -a skilled captain but even more so a shrewd, clever man- turns to yet another parchment, when his father’s gaze finally falls upon him. ‘Denethor,’ Ecthelion says, ‘you do not have to stay so late. I’ll manage.’ Almost a glare, a grunt. ‘ ‘Tis all right.’ ‘We now have a fair idea of the nature of this foe’s power.’ Stifling silence and then, in a flash, something dark passes Denethor’s face. ‘Information, father,’ he says, slowly. ‘Information is power.’ *** “During the end of the rule of his father, Ecthelion II, he must have greatly desired to consult the Stone, as anxiety in Gondor increased, while his own position was weakened by the fame of “Thorongil” aid the favour shown to him by his father.” The Palantiri- UT

 

How spooky: something dark passes Denethor’s face. Denethor seems driven to attain information despite the cost. The cost will be higher than he ever imagined. RiverOtter

 

Thank you, Aervir! I am sorry I replied this late, but I am overjoyed to be the receiver of such a great gift! I love your description of Arwen, especially the mirth lurking behind the courtly words. I also think it very much in character for Éowyn to feel baffled at first: Nice repetition of less than kindly words here in a more positive context. And this: But the smile which lit up her face also drew a dusky veil over her features; and even its radiance could not outshine the dark sound of a voice tinged with something akin to envy. is so Arwen, a beautiful star aware (unlike many of her kindred) that her radiance will pass, never to be rekindled or to arise in another place again and yet conscious of the past gone by as well as the future ahead Lovely, I wish I could produce a piece half as lovely as this Makamu

 

Thanks a lot for your encouraging words, Ann, RiverOtter and Azalais. I do hope that the birthday muse will be cooperative in the future... Oh, and Azalais, I am very sorry that I kept you from going to bed on time and sent you off on a wild goose chase after that Appendix footnote. I don’t have my LOTR copy with me at the moment, and so I couldn’t reply. I actually walked to the library today in order to look it up, but Elena Tiriel was obviously faster than me. And there’s really no need to be jealous of my palantír drabble. Your Shakespearean sonnet adaptation is absolutely brilliant. It’s one of his most touching poems, IMHO, and it was lovingly reinterpreted to good purpose. Your idea just appeals to the romantic in me... But of course, I was happiest to see that the birthday girls liked my gifts. Thank you very much for your kind comments, Altariel and Makamu! I love your description of Arwen, especially the mirth lurking behind the courtly words. Glad to see that it worked. I thought the confrontation of a human woman and an elfmaiden might be the perfect opportunity for showing the ‘bright side of elves’, so to speak. (Something which I sorely missed in the movies.) Apart from that, it also parallels Tolkien’s portrait of Aragorn in the Tale of Aragorn and Arwen where he, too, is described as full of hidden mirth.

 

A really scary drabble, Starlight, that perfectly shows the palantír's power over Denethor without even having to mention the stone itself. Creepy and very impressive!

 

January 13 - Altariel: My birthday is January 13th. I would love drabbles about the palantíri: any time, any place, any one of them (or all). Otherwise, you won't go wrong with some F/E 'shipper joy. Happy Birthday Una!!! And I even managed to get this done on time. Whew! Well...I must admit my knowledge of palantiri is limited and so I tried a different "take" on the subject. Hope you enjoy and have a wonderful day. Cheers! Vistula ~~~~ A Case of Mistaken Identity “Merry, Pippin, come see what Prince Faramir’s sent for the garden!” Sam could barely contain his excitement and led them toward the display. “Imagine, a wedding gift… clear from Dol Amroth the note says.” Veiled in silk, the treasure lay hidden. The hobbits crowded around as Sam removed the cloth. Blanching, Pippin stumbled backwards with a gasp – covering his eyes. “No! Put it away!” Visions of the Eye and memories of blinding torment flooded his mind. “Please!” Confused, Sam slowly complied. “What’s wrong, Master Pippin ‘tis only a gazin’ ball…” Trembling, Pippin turned and fled. How could he ever explain?

 

Wow, Azalais, I have oft read of Faramir's command of language. Did he speak this to you personally or did you find a copy of it in the Great Library? Whichever, I thank you for sharing it. Truly beautiful. Agape PS Happy birthday to all...

 

Altariel-- I read that Feanor may have created the palantiri and also that one of his names meant "spirit of fire," so here is a drabble about Feanor and basic chemistry. Best wishes for your birthday! Branwyn Alchemy before there was glass, there was sand-- flecks of stone, white and salty, scoured and sifted by the waves before there was glass, there was seaweed-- deep-drowned grasses, sleek green hair, swaying and curling in the tide before there was glass, there were seashells-- cups of bone, empty houses, holding the distant echo of Eldamar before there was glass, there was fire-- kelp rendered to ashes and light, shells burned to lime, sand to glowing slag melding the three, the craftsman spoke soft words, burning the dross, smoothing the surface, as he bound the spirit of fire in the Stone.

 

Ooh, ahhh. What a pretty poem, Branwyn! Love the way the three components are melded together by the spirit of fire, which seems like a metaphor for the creative process as well as the meaning of one of this supreme craftsman's names. And HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ALTARIEL! (even if I haven't yet written a drabble; if I manage one, it will be late; and the idea I have will probably end up as a short story, which means very late) RAKSHA

 

Alchemy Branwyn, that is just gorgeous! I especially love "cups of bone" and "holding the distant echo of Eldamar". And putting sand, seaweed, and seashells together for glass -- that is just inspired! - Barbara

 

Thanks, Forodwaith! The Steward certainly thought so, and once he'd got my attention wouldn't stop prodding me until I'd had a go at it... Az

 

Oh, and Azalais, I am very sorry that I kept you from going to bed on time and sent you off on a wild goose chase after that Appendix footnote. I don’t have my LOTR copy with me at the moment, and so I couldn’t reply. I actually walked to the library today in order to look it up, but Elena Tiriel was obviously faster than me. Don't worry, I did actually go to bed secure in the knowledge that someone would point it out pronto! Elena is faster on the Resources draw than most people round here -give her a quote or a question and she's found the source and cross-referenced it to everything relevant before most of us have got our Unfinished Tales off the shelf... Thank you for your compliments on the sonnet! - it appealed to the romantic in Faramir too, I think...

 

Branwyn - I'm in awe of this tightly crafted, expressive piece. I love free verse which nevertheless has as much shape and rhythm as this does. Everyone's been very complimentary about my sonnet but all the good bits are, after all, Shakespeare's - I wish I'd been feeling creative enough to write something this marvellous and original. Just like the palantiri themselves it's a dark, smooth, beautiful and haunting thing - one to be put on proud virtual display. Lucky Altariel, I say! Azalais

 

Denethor seems driven to attain information despite the cost. The cost will be higher than he ever imagined. Oh indeed yes - and "where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?" (to bring out a T.S. Eliot quotation Altariel and I both know well - sorry Una, couldn't resist it!) Cheers, Azalais

 

I have oft read of Faramir's command of language. Did he speak this to you personally or did you find a copy of it in the Great Library? Faramir's and (mostly) Shakespeare's command of language largely rather than mine, in this case! Faramir doesn't usually talk to me but he was most insistent about this, I must say, once he managed to get my attention - he doesn't give up easily!

 

Don't worry, I did actually go to bed secure in the knowledge that someone would point it out pronto! Elena is faster on the Resources draw than most people round here -give her a quote or a question and she's found the source and cross-referenced it to everything relevant before most of us have got our Unfinished Tales off the shelf... Why, thank you, Az! *blush* Now, if I could just get my drabble muse working again... I've owed one to Avon for months now... - Barbara

 

January 12 - Malinear: I'll be turning 24 on January 12th. I'm pretty easy to please as I'm a big fan of anything F/E-shipping Sorry it's a little late, but I've had a cold and my muse was pretty quiet. Garden Secrets She does not know I have discovered what she does at the bottom of the garden, overlooked by none, or in the potting shed when she has dismissed the gardeners. Our estates bloom unrivalled, and she is known for gentleness when she gives succor to those in need. “I love best all things that grow and are not barren,” she declares, turning again to deep discussions of crops and pasturage. I am skilled at creeping up, unseen, on even wary creatures. She freezes, sword poised. I slide my blade out, and confront her, smiling. “Spar with me this time, Éowyn?” Hope your birthday was a very happy one! Gwynnyd

 

January 13 - Altariel: My birthday is January 13th. I would love drabbles about the palantíri: any time, any place, any one of them (or all). I hope your birthday was a very happy one. “Aragorn himself waits for a sign” A palantir sat again in the place prepared, high in the tower of Minas Tirith. The Ithil Stone was no more; still the king paused before drawing back the cloth. Gandalf’s hand dropped lightly on his shoulder. “It is a tool, and neither good nor evil of itself. You have the strength to bend it to your will.” Uncovering it, Aragorn stared into the orb. Walking slowly around, he paused at times, but stood longest facing northwest. Finally, weary, he reshrouded the ball and sat, head hanging. “All goes well in Gondor,” he sighed, “but I could not see her.” Gwynnyd

 

Gaze No More in the Bitter Glass That's lovely Aervir! Thanks for de-lurking. Alawa

 

Hi Az, And yes, it really did come out at exactly 100 words. Count 'em. I’m incredibly impressed you managed to keep to both the metre and the wordcount . Alawa

 

I really liked "The Steward and the King," Thanks Starlight It is amazing how, even the good things, can turn into bad ones depending on our own inner strength (or weakness, for that matter). Yes, and sometimes there is just no way of reclaiming them again, sadly. Glad you enjoyed it. Alawa

 

Az wrote: And I like the Denethor echoes with the consuming flames, making clear what path Aragorn could be venturing too far down - the path Faramir couldn't call his father back from... One of the most interesting things for me is the comparisons JRRT draws between Aragorn and Denethor who he says are as alike as close kin. What makes Aragorn hope and Denethor despair etc? One of them is, I think, that Denethor is a loner, even in the crowded City, whereas Aragorn values friendship and fellowship, even though he's spent so much of his life on his own. That's one of his strengths, I think. Glad you enjoyed it Alawa

 

Altariel wrote: Alawa's writing always has layer upon layer. Sometimes so many I don't discover they're there until I've finished. And really, JRRT does all the work with his constant repetition and variation and everything is already so intricately interconnected, with so much history reaching back behind it. Very glad you liked it Alawa

 

Hunger Stifling silence and then, in a flash, something dark passes Denethor’s face. Brr - that's so effective, Starlight, the way you've inverted things. Knowledge not as something enlightening but something darkening. I love the claustophobia of the setting too, giving the feeling that his knowledge is something that he will possess and hold close to himself until eventually it possesses him - or devours him - "Hunger" Brr! Makes me think of Gollum searching out those hidden dark things. That sort of information is power, maybe, but it's not wisdom. Very well done. Alawa

 

That one makes my F/É shipper soul very happy, Gwynnyd. It's lovely to see a characterization of Éowyn as a wife where she is both a healer and remains a warrior at heart. And, of course, Faramir doesn't seem to regret having married such a strong woman.

 

I’m incredibly impressed you managed to keep to both the metre and the wordcount . Funnily enough Shakespearean-style sonnets fit drabble length quite well - when I realised it might be do-able I was lying in bed (believe it or not) muttering "de dum de dum" in my head and worked out that if a sonnet has 14 lines of iambic pentameter, it's got 140 syllables, which isn't implausible for 100 words. Now, Shakespeare's sonnets I suspect are mostly more like 120-130 words, because he has such a genius for saying very complex things in words of one syllable So a lot of my tweaking involved finding one polysyllabic word to replace several of the original - not much more than numerical juggling really. I'm rather embarrassed at all the praise it's been garnering...

 

Thank you to Raksha, Elena, and Azalais for your words of encouragement! Elena-- I especially love "cups of bone" and "holding the distant echo of Eldamar". When I was a child, I was told that if you held a shell against your ear, you could hear the sound of the sea. So, Feanor imagines he can hear the echoes of the bay of Eldamar when he listens to a seashell. And putting sand, seaweed, and seashells together for glass -- that is just inspired! I thought of Feanor walking the beach in exile, looking across the sea but unable to glimpse his home, then he takes the materials at hand to fashion the far-seeing stones. Branwyn

 

Vistula, I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to thank you for my birthday present - I had a slight case of Life intervening... So, belatedly, thank you for my birthday present! But poor Pippin, suddenly confronted with the horrible memory of the Eye and his interrogation by Sauron.

 

Gwynnyd, my apologies for being so slow in thanking you for my lovely birthday drabble. How right that Aragorn would want to have news of Arwen, as well as news of Gondor. Thank you

 

Wow, Branwyn, this is beautiful - thank you! I'm in awe of people who can control free verse; this is so precisely crafted, like its subject matter. I like the hints, too, of the future fates of two of the Silmarils, in the fire and in the water. I'm so sorry that it's taken me so long to thank you for this.

 

Just like the palantiri themselves it's a dark, smooth, beautiful and haunting thing - one to be put on proud virtual display. Lucky Altariel, I say! As does Altariel herself.

 

Denethor seems driven to attain information despite the cost. The cost will be higher than he ever imagined. Oh indeed yes - and "where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?" (to bring out a T.S. Eliot quotation Altariel and I both know well - sorry Una, couldn't resist it!) Oh yes indeed - one of the ones I couldn't identify!

 

January 26 - Makamu: I would love to read a fic about uhm let me think...Eowyn and Arwen I am beginning to feel like the White Rabbit sucrrying around crying, "I'm late!" But better late than never. Hope your birthday was a very happy one! Hard Lessons It feels peaceful here, sheltered from the winds. Plants potted, but rioting up the walls, give bursts of color, sweet scents. Her hand stabs the needle almost at random into the fine silk. The thread tangles and she pulls until it snaps. She looks up at me. Rain-washed eyes brim, but do not spill. “How do you bear it?” It is never easy to stay behind. Life is sweeter now she has tasted freedom and love. She waits, fearing for husband, brother, and liege lord. I hug her, as desolate inside as she. “I have had many years of practice.” Gwynnyd

 

I've been playing with this idea all month, and it still did not develop as I had hoped. The seed is there for me, but I just don't see it sprouting out of the ground yet. I hope you will accept it, failings and all, with my promise that I will try to refine it. Hope you had a great birthday, Makamu! Starlight *** Insight The laughter of children -pure, rich, untroubled- fills the garden, now louder since their mothers joined their games. Eowyn runs with the wind; one, two, three pairs of feet try to catch up with her, while a fourth sits by Arwen, surrounded by flower-garlands. A moment of realization, both ladies stop, turn to each other. ‘How is it you-’ they chorus. ‘Why do you live life like this?’ ‘Each moment is a treasure,’ Eowyn says, ‘for we do not have many.’ ‘Each moment is a second,’ says Arwen, ‘when you think of eternity.’ Amazed, they smile, and resume their games.

 

For Jay and Malinear - who both requsted the twins... Ah well, better late than never, or at least I hope so. Lol! Here’s my first ever attempt at a birthday fic – it just took a bit longer to work out than I expected. (I have discovered I am not a speedy writer...sorry!) I hope you enjoy it anyway. Featuring Elladan, Elrohir and Legolas, it is a very introspective piece from Elladan’s point of view. Though it is quite belated, Happy Birthday to you both! Link to story: The Way Home Ithildin *(

 

When I looked in on this thread to read some of the lovely drabbles written for other people, I certainly didn't expect to find another one for me! Thank you, Ithildin for this lovely fic. It's a scene Tolkien said so very little about, but you have fleshed it out beautifully. I love the sea-bird necklace - does Elrohir have one too? - and Elladan's musing as he watches the gulls. Like you, I have no idea what path the twins eventually chose, (though I hope they sailed West), but I *am* sure they made the same choice and stayed together. Jay

 

Hi Jay, I’m so happy that you enjoyed the fic! The seagull necklace is one of those things that was just ‘there’. At times these fics have a way of being ‘discovered’; as Tolkien put it, rather than written, don’t they?! And I think there is only one sea-bird necklace. I envision it having had a long history, though I haven’t worked it out. I think Celebrian probably gave something special to each of her children that day, but the carved gull went to Elladan. She knew her sons would choose alike, and I think deep down, they both knew it too, but Elrohir was just a little nervous about it. I have another short fic I wrote almost a year ago (and finally posted) that also touches on the subject. The story is linked here if you would like to read it. The story features a ‘found’ and ‘translated’ letter from Celeborn to Arwen. I Navaer Veth – The Last Farewell Ithildin *(

 

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